“Oh, you know. Nothing too spectacular. Just a National Championship.” He shrugged, one shouldered. “I’ll give it my best shot.” His face went serious. “My dad is losing money though.” I knew part of Blue’s agreement with Knoxville was that they paid for his dad’s apartment. It wasn’t common knowledge but it was the truth.
“What did he say when you told him?” My fingers curved around his sides.
“He just found out with the rest of the world. I’d say he’s probably spitting nails right about now.”
“You’d say? You’re telling me he’s not currently blowing up your phone?”
“Can’t.” His tone went hard. “He’s blocked until further notice. Possibly for the rest of his life.” His cheek was back against mine, his mouth next to my ear. “That’s what happens when you get between me and the love of my life.” All ten of his fingers threaded through all ten of mine. “He’s not coming to Blacksburg with me. He’s not allowed in Lane Stadium. It’s in my contract.”
“Okay. But…” I squeezed my eyes shut. “Won’t I be a distraction?”
He let go of my hands and wrapped his arms tight around my waist. “I never want to hear you say that again. You’re not a distraction, Anna. Do you hear me?You’rewhat’s important. This relationship is what’s important. If anything, football distracts me from what actually matters.” At those words, my stomach fully relaxed for the first time since he’d ridden away in his dad’s car all those years ago. “We can talk more about it later,” he said. “But just know that my dad and football are never getting between us again.”
“Okay.” My fingers ran over the sleeve of his hoodie. “Hokies, huh?”
“Hokies.” He smiled.
My face fell. “I know this is a downgrade.”
“Big picture, babe. It might be a downgrade now. But it’s going to upgrade our future.” He shrugged. “And I might not get drafted. But that’s a chance I’m willing to take.” He brushed my bangs back and planted a kiss on my cheek. “We’ll be okay financially if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ve made smart investments with my money.”
“I’m not worried,” I said before he could get in another word.
“I know.” He grinned, his gaze burning with pride. “But. I need you to know that I’ll be happy, even if we’re flat broke.” His nose nuzzled mine. “As long as you love me,all to pieces, for the rest of our lives, that’s all I need.”
I pressed a kiss to his wonderful lips. “Oh, I’m going to love youall to pieces…for the rest of forever.”
He kissed me back. “Forever, then.”
epilogue 1
BLUE
This day had come way too slow.
But we were finally here. And like I’d promised myself all those years ago, I’d gone all Beyoncé and put a ring on it. Last summer it had been an engagement ring. Three hours and twenty-two minutes ago it was a gold band. Gazing down into the eyes of my wife, I was confident I’d just made the smartest decision of my life.
“Do you hear that?” Anna cupped a hand to her ear, exuberant. “There are thirty-seven football players and nine NCAA coaches here and I have not heard a word about football today. Not one.”
That’s because I’d threatened them within an inch of their lives. Anyone caught talking sports, would immediately become part of the clean up crew. Anna deserved a day free of men overtaking every conversion with their opinions on how the SEC was overrated, if the Cowboys would ever be relevant again, or who they thought would win the Super Bowl this year.
“Happy Birthday, Mrs. Bishop,” I whispered in Anna’s ear. A loose tendril from her updo tickled my cheek. I spun the band on my ringer finger.
“Happy wedding day, Mr. Bishop,” she whispered back as I swayed her in my arms.
My suit coat came off the minute Ashton was done declaring us husband and wife. It was too hot in the middle of July to keep it on. My tie came off about an hour ago. The cake was cut and eaten. Pictures were done. Our first dance as a couple completed. Tally had caught the bouquet after Brooklyn shoved her toward it.
But Anna and I were still on the makeshift dance floor her Granny had built. The stars twinkled in the sky above the tent, the lights glistened around us, and the fireflies darted in and out of the hayfield off to our right. Ford’s band was still going strong, though, situated on a huge trailer at the front of the tent. He’d promised to play until we told him we were done.
I spun Anna, making her dress flare at the bottom. I’d done it a couple of times tonight and each time, it made her laugh, just like she did now.
“You know,” I pulled her back into my arms. “You’re old enough for a glass of champagne now, if you want.”
She ran her hands up my chest. “I’m good.” Her gaze smoldered. “I want to be fully cognizant for what’s coming. Soon.”
“Soon?” I played it cool but my knees were shaking. I’d waited so long for this and we werefinallyhere.
She bit her bottom lip and looked up at me through her lashes. “Yes. Like now.”
